What is really the issue?

Debates, discussions, and arguments are most often lost and fail to reach a solution because the real issue is not defined.

What is the real issue in the debate on the Human Security Act? Simple! People just do not know if government, meaning the administration, can control the military at this time. Answer that to satisfy the public and all this clamor will die down. I did not say this will solve the insurgency.

***

I still stick to my stand that this anti-terror law cannot solve the insurgency. It will even worsen it, if government pours in money to finance it. Insurgency is the result of corruption. Because of corruption rebels multiply.

It just started with NPA. Then the RPA-ABB was born as another rebel to rebel against the rebel NPA. What next? Originally, it was the MNLF. Then it gave birth to MILF. Then came the Abu Sayyaf. What else?

And why are there rebels? Because there's money in there. And there's money for people fighting them too.

We are happy Supreme Court Chief Justice Reynato Puno is taking active part. He will be effective because his credibility is unassailable, his honesty unquestionable, his integrity intact.

***

But the following should be addressed first. Where were the people who are too noisy now against the law when this was discussed in both House of Congress? Where were they? Why only now did they start making noise?

Was there also opposition in both Houses when this bill was being discussed? Why did they not alert media and the human rights and leftist groups? Did this mean, the opposition, including the human rightists in Congress agree also with it?

***

Now, the other group, the sponsors of the bill and those who voted in its favor. Why don't they come out to defend the bill?

I recall in some publications earlier, Sen. Aquilino Pimentel, Jr. made some criticisms against the law. But he was rebuffed when told he also signed it and even made many amendments which were all incorporated to the law.

The only Senator I read, who defended it is Juan Ponce Enrile. He made a spirited defense of the law. I have not heard from Sen. Ping Lacson who also voted for it.

It's time therefore, to address the real issue of this anti-terror law.

***

DAR Secretary Nasser Pangandaman was asked by the Supreme Court to tell the Supreme Court why they are not to be cited for contempt.

Pangandaman was wrong, therefore, that DAR is beyond the reach of the courts. That thinking of Pangandaman is dangerous. When people no longer respect the courts, then this can lead to anarchy. And because of Pangandaman's arrogance three died this year at Hda. Velez-Malaga.

But, our sympathy for the military and police who are caught in the crossfire. Task Force Mapalad accused them. The landowner also accused them at the Supreme Court.

I believe those people were just obeying orders. Now, that they obeyed, they are charged. Had they not obeyed, the charge might be greater.

I saw on television Pangandaman ordering one policemen to apprehend a farmer who had the guts to answer him. I already saluted that fellow and that policeman.

A policeman has the right not to obey unlawful orders. The question is, how do you know it's unlawful?

Those Army men and policemen charged just present a written order to assist the DAR secretary. And with that directive, they can say it was a lawful order.

***

We are happy to read that our friend Jose Capadocia has been promoted from Press Assistant Secretary to Press Undersecretary for Media Affairs.

We seldom meet Joe because when the President comes, it is not our habit to follow her because we have reporters to do that.

I know Joe Capadocia who has long been in Malacañang press office and knows the ins and outs of handling media affairs.

He is an Ilonggo.

***

We sat down with Presidential Assistant for East Visayas Felix C. Guanzon, guest of Mrs. Olivia V. Yanson in the dinner at the Yanson residence the other night. Guanzon came with Presidential Assistant for West Visayas Lito Coscolluela. Guanzon told us in East Visayas he does not have agrarian reform problem like we have. He had breakfast yesterday at the Yanson prawn farm in Victorias, my friend Monet Rojas told me.*

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